Peach tree named ‘Burpeachtwentyfour’

ABSTRACT

A new and distinct variety of Peach tree ( Prunus persica ), which is denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachtwentyfour’, and which produces an attractively colored white-fleshed, clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately May 16 to May 23 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California.

BACKGROUND OF THE NEW VARIETY

The present invention relates to a new, novel and distinct variety of peach tree, Prunus persica, and which has been denominated varietally as ‘Burpeachtwentyfour’.

ORIGIN

The present variety of peach tree resulted from an on-going program of fruit and nut tree breeding. The purpose of this program is to improve the commercial quality of deciduous fruit and nut varieties, and rootstocks, by creating and releasing promising selections of Prunus, Malus and Regia species. To this end we make both controlled and hybrid cross pollinations each year in order to produce seedling populations from which improved progenies are evaluated and selected.

The seedling, ‘Burpeachtwentyfour’ was originated by us and selected from a population of seedlings growing in our experimental orchards located near Fowler, Calif. The seedlings, grown on their own roots, were derived from a cross that we made in 2000 of the ‘Queencrest’ peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,025), which is an early ripening, yellow-fleshed, clingstone peach tree which was used as the seed parent; and an unnamed white fleshed flat (peento) peach tree of unknown origin, and which was used as the pollen parent. The seeds produced by this cross were embryo cultured, in vitro, and then subsequently grown in a greenhouse to an appropriate stage. Subsequently, the new plants were field planted and grown for further evaluation. One seedling which is the present variety, exhibited especially desirable characteristics, and was designated as ‘J47.083’. This seedling was marked for subsequent observation. After the 2002 fruiting season, the new variety of peach tree was selected for advanced evaluation and repropagation.

ASEXUAL REPRODUCTION

Asexual reproduction of this new and distinct variety of peach tree was accomplished by budding the new peach tree to ‘Nemaguard’ Rootstock (un-patented) during the 2003 growing season. This was performed by us in our experimental orchard which is located near Fowler, Calif. Subsequent evaluations of these asexually reproduced plants have shown those asexual reproductions run true to the original tree. All characteristics of the original tree, and its fruit, were established, and appear to be transmitted through succeeding asexual propagations.

SUMMARY OF THE VARIETY

‘Burpeachtwentyfour’ is a new and distinct variety of peach tree, which produces fruit which are considered of relatively large size, and which further has vigorous growth. This new peach tree is also a regular and productive bearer of firm, white-fleshed, clingstone fruit which have a good flavor and eating qualities. This new peach tree has a medium chilling requirement of approximately 650 hours, and further produces relatively uniformly shaped fruit throughout the tree. In addition to the foregoing, the fruit of the new tree also appears to have good handling and shipping qualities.

The ‘Burpeachtwentyfour’ peach tree bears fruit which are ripe for commercial harvesting and shipment on approximately May 16 to May 23 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. In relative comparison to the ‘Queencrest’ peach tree (U.S. Plant Pat. No. 6,025), which was the seed parent, and the most similar variety known to the inventors at this time, the present, new variety of peach tree bears fruit which ripen about at about the same time of the season, but which is white-fleshed (as opposed to yellow-fleshed) and considerably firmer when both peach trees have been grown and evaluated at the same geographical location and using the same cultural practices.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING

The accompanying drawing, which is provided, is a color photograph of the new peach tree variety. The photograph depicts two whole mature fruit, and one mature fruit bisected laterally along the mid-equatorial plane, and which reveals the flesh characteristics thereof. The external coloration of the fruit as shown in the photograph is sufficiently matured for harvesting and shipment. Additionally, the photograph displays a sample vegetative shoot bearing typical leaves and a typical stone, with the flesh removed to display the characteristics thereof. The colors in this photograph are as nearly true as is reasonably possible in a color representation of this type. Due to chemical development, processing and printing, the leaves and fruit depicted in these photographs may or may not be accurate when compared to the actual specimen. For this reason, future color references should be made to the color plates (Royal Horticultural Society) and descriptions provided, hereinafter.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

Referring more specifically to the pomological details of this new and distinct variety of peach tree, the following has been observed during the fifth fruiting season under the ecological conditions prevailing at orchards which are located near the town of Fowler, county of Fresno, state of California. All major color code designations are by reference to The R.H.S. Colour Chart (Fourth Edition) provided by The Royal Horticultural Society of Great Britain. Common color names are also occasionally used.

-   Tree:     -   -   Size.—Generally — Considered large as compared to other             common commercial peach cultivars ripening in the early             season of maturity. The tree of the present variety (which             was 5 years old) was pruned to a height of approximately             350.0 cm. to about 355.0 cm. at commercial maturity.         -   Vigor.—Considered vigorous. The present peach tree variety             grew from about 160.0 cm. to about 165.0 cm. in height             during the first growing season. The new variety was pruned             to a height of approximately 150.0 cm. during the first             dormant season, and primary scaffolds were then selected for             the desired tree structure.         -   Productivity.—Productive. Fruit set varies from about 2.5 to             several times more than the desired crop load. The fruit set             is spaced by thinning to develop the remaining fruit into             the desired market-sized fruit. The number of the fruit set             varies with the prevailing climatic conditions, and cultural             practices employed during the bloom period, and is therefore             not distinctive characteristics of the variety.         -   Bearer.—Regular. Fruit set has been heavy during the last             several years of observation, and thinning was periodically             necessary during the past 5 years on both the original             seedling and also on the subsequent propagations of the new             tree.         -   Form.—Upright, and pruned into a vase shape.         -   Density.—Considered dense. It has been discovered that             pruning the branches from the center of the tree to obtain a             resulting vase-shape allows for air movement and appropriate             amounts of sunlight to enhance the fruit color, and the             renewal of fruiting wood throughout the tree.         -   Hardiness.—The present peach tree was grown and evaluated in             USDA Hardiness Zone 9. Winter chilling requirements of the             new tree have been calculated as approximately 650 hours             below 7.0 degrees C. The present variety appears to be hardy             under typical central San Joaquin Valley climatic             conditions. Because of its lower chilling requirement the             present variety of peach tree appears that it could be             suitably grown in climates that have fewer chilling hours             than that of USDA Hardiness Zone 9. -   Trunk:     -   -   Diameter.—Approximately 13.5 cm. in diameter when measured             at a distance of approximately 15.24 cm. above the soil             level. This measurement was taken at the end of the fifth             growing season.         -   Bark texture.—Considered moderately rough, with numerous             folds of papery scarfskin being present.         -   Lenticels.—Generally — Very numerous flat, oval lenticels             are present. The lenticels have a size of approximately 3.0             millimeters in width, and about 1.0 millimeter in height.             The development and size of the observed lenticels can be             influenced by prevailing growing conditions. Therefore, this             characteristic is not necessarily a consistent and             dependable descriptor of the variety.         -   Lenticel color.—Considered an orange brown, (RHS             Greyed-Orange Group N172 D).         -   Bark coloration.—Variable, but it is generally considered to             be a medium brown, (RHS Greyed-Brown Group N199 C). The             present bark description was taken from trees in their fifth             leaf which have not as yet ruptured the scarf skin nor             developed bark furrowing. These characteristics are more             typical of older trees. -   Branches:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium for the variety.         -   Diameter.—Average as compared to other peach tree varieties.             The branches of the present tree have a diameter of about             8.5 centimeters when measured during the fifth year after             grafting.         -   Surface texture.—Average, and appearing furrowed on wood             which is several years old.         -   Crotch angles.—Primary branches are considered variable and             are between about 57 degrees to about 58 degrees when             measured from a horizontal axis. This particular             characteristic is not considered distinctive of the variety,             however.         -   Current season shoots.—Surface texture — Substantially             glabrous.         -   Internode length.—Approximately 2.6 cm.         -   Color of mature branches.—Grey-brown, (RHS Greyed-Brown             group 199 B).         -   Current seasons shoots.—Color — Light green, (RHS             Yellow-Green Group 144 B). The color of new shoot tips is             considered a bright and shiny green (RHS Green Group 141 C). -   Leaves:     -   -   Size.—Considered medium-large for the species. Leaf             measurements have been taken from vigorous, upright,             current-season growth at approximately mid-shoot.         -   Leaf length.—Approximately 176.0 mm. to about 184.0 mm.         -   Leaf width.—Approximately 32.0 mm. to about 35.0 mm.         -   Leaf base shape.—Considered reasonably uniform in marginal             symmetry when viewed relative to the leaf longitudinal axis.         -   Leaf form.—Lanceolate.         -   Leaf tip form.—Acuminate.         -   Leaf color.—Upper Leaf Surface — Dark green, (approximately             RHS Green Group 137 A).         -   Leaf texture.—Glabrous.         -   Leaf color.—Lower Surface — Deep green, (approximately RHS             Green Group 139 B).         -   Leaf venation.—Pinnately veined.         -   Mid-vein.—Color — Considered a light yellow-green,             (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group 145 B) in the early,             to mid period, of the growing season.         -   Leaf margins.—Shape — Slightly undulating. Marginal form. —             Considered blunted-serrate, occasionally biserrate.             Uniformity. — Considered generally uniform.         -   Leaf petioles.—Form. — Considered canaliculate but with a             shallow channel and thicker trough. Leaf Petiole Size. —             Considered medium. Leaf Petiole Length. — About 8.0 mm. to             about 12.0 mm. Leaf Petiole diameter. — About 1.5 mm. to             about 2.0 mm. Leaf Petiole Color. — Pale green,             (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group N144 C).         -   Leaf glands.—Size — Considered small. Approximately 1.0 mm.             in length, and about 1.0 mm. in height. Leaf Gland Number. —             Generally one gland per margin side. Occasionally two glands             per margin side. Type. — Generally considered a tight, small             reniform gland acutely appressed relative to the apical leaf             margin. Leaf Gland Color. — Considered a pale green             approximately (RHS Yellow-Green Group 144 C).         -   Leaf stipules.—Size — Medium large for the variety. Number.             — Typically 2 per leaf bud and up to 6 per shoot tip. Leaf             Stipules. — Form — Lanceolate and having a serrated margin.             Leaf Stipules. — Color — Green, (approximately RHS Green             Group 137 B) when young, but turning to a brown color,             (approximately RHS Greyed-Orange group 174 C) with advancing             senescence. The stipules are considered to be early             deciduous. -   Flowers:     -   -   Flower buds.—Generally — Depending upon the stage of             development, the flower buds are approximately 6.0 mm. wide;             about 10.0 mm. long; conic in form; and slightly appressed             relative to the bearing shoot.         -   Flower buds.—Color — This characteristic is dependent upon             the proximity to bloom. The bud scales are typically deep             purple, (approximately RHS Greyed-Purple Group N186 C). The             buds are considered hardy under typical central San Joaquin             Valley climatic conditions.         -   Hardiness.—No winter injury (bud death) has been noted             during the last several years of evaluation in the central             San Joaquin Valley. The current variety has not been             intentionally subjected to drought or heat stress, and             therefore this information is not available.         -   Date of first bloom.—Observed on Feb. 24, 2008.         -   Blooming time.—Considered early in relative comparison to             other commercial peach cultivars grown in the central San             Joaquin Valley. The date of full bloom was observed on Mar.             1, 2008. The date of full bloom varies slightly with the             current climatic conditions and prevailing cultural             practices.         -   Duration of bloom.—Approximately 8 days. This characteristic             varies slightly with the prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Flower type.—The variety is considered to have a showy type             flower.         -   Flower size.—The flower diameter at full bloom is             approximately 33.0 mm. to about 38.0 mm.         -   Bloom quantity.—Considered abundant.         -   Flower bud frequency.—Normally 2 flower buds appear per             node, occasionally one, but rarely more than 2.         -   Petal size.—Generally — Considered medium for the species.             Length. — Approximately 12.0 mm. to about 15.0 mm. Width. —             Approximately 11.0 mm. to about 14.0 mm.         -   Petal form.—Considered ovate.         -   Petal count.—Nearly always 5.         -   Petal texture.—Glabrous.         -   Petal color.—Somewhat variable from a light pink,             (approximately RHS Red-Purple Group 65 C) to a medium pink,             (approximately RHS Red-Purple Group 65 A).         -   Fragrance.—Slight.         -   Petal claw.—Form — The claw is considered generally ovoid,             and has a small size when compared to other varieties. Petal             Claw Length. — Approximately 6.0 mm. to about 8.0 mm. Petal             Claw Width. — Approximately 6.0 mm. to about 8.0 mm.         -   Petal margins.—Generally considered variable, from nearly             smooth to slightly ruffled, and occasionally moderately             undulate to ruffled.         -   Petal apex.—Generally considered acute — The petal apices             generally exhibit a slight and rounded tip.         -   Flower pedicel.—Length — Considered medium-long, and having             an average length of approximately 4.0 mm. to about 5.0 mm.             Flower Pedicel Diameter. — Considered average, approximately             2.5 millimeters. Flower Pedicel Color. — A medium brown,             (approximately RHS Grey-Brown Group N199 C).         -   Floral nectaries.—Color — A dull green, (approximately RHS             Yellow-Green Group 144 C).         -   Calyx.—Surface Texture — Generally glabrous. Floral             Nectaries. — Color — A dull purple, (approximately RHS             Greyed-Red Group 178 C).         -   Sepals.—Surface Texture — The surface of the sepals have a             short, fine pubescent texture. Sepals Size. — Average, and             ovate in form. Sepals Color. — A dull red, (approximately             RHS Greyed-Green Group 197 C).         -   Anthers.—Generally — Average in length. Anthers Color. —             Depending upon the date of maturity and this date's             proximity to dehistance. The pre-dehistant color is             considered a dull magenta, (approximately RHS Greyed-Red             Group 182 A).         -   Pollen production.—Pollen is abundant, and has a yellow             color, (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 17 C).         -   Fertility.—No pollinator is required.         -   Filaments.—Size — The length dimension is variable,             approximately 13.0 mm. to about 17.0 mm. long. Filaments             Color. — Considered white, (approximately RHS White Group             155 C).         -   Pistil.—Number — Usually 1 occasionally 2, but rarely more             than 2. Pistil Size. — Average. Pistil Length. —             Approximately 17.0 mm. to about 20.0 mm. including the             ovary. Pistil Color. — Considered a very pale green,             (approximately RHS Greyed-Green Group 193 C). Pistil Surface             Texture. — The variety has a long pubescent pistil. -   Fruit:     -   -   Maturity when described.—Firm ripe condition (shipping             ripe).         -   Date of first picking.—May 16, 2008. Date of last picking. —             May 23, 2008. The date of harvest varies slightly with the             prevailing climatic conditions.         -   Fruit size.—Generally — Considered large, and uniform.         -   Average cheek diameter.—Approximately 63.0 mm. to about 70.0             mm.         -   Average axial diameter.—Approximately 64.0 mm. to about 69.0             mm.         -   Typical weight.—Approximately 209.0 grams. This             characteristic is highly dependent upon the prevailing             cultural practices, and therefore is not particularly             distinctive of the variety.         -   Fruit form.—Generally — Considered rounded. The fruit is             generally uniform in symmetry. It should be noted that             occasional asymmetry can occur in the axial hemispheres of             the fruit.         -   Fruit suture.—The suture is full, but well defined along its             margin with no apparent grooving or depression. No readily             apparent callousing or stitching exists along the suture             line.         -   Fruit suture.—Color — Generally blushed to the same degree             as the skin, (approximately RHS Red Group 46 B).         -   Ventral surface.—Form — Even and uniform into the stem             cavity with occasional creasing noted at the ventral portion             of the of the shoulder.         -   Apex.—Shape — Rounded.         -   Base.—Shape — Gently retuse.         -   Stem cavity.—Shape — Generally rounded and uniform. Average             depth of the stem cavity is about 5.0 mm. Average width of             the stem cavity is about 8.0 mm.         -   Fruit skin.—Thickness — Considered medium in thickness, and             tenacious to the flesh. Fruit Skin Texture. — Short, fine             and pubescent. The pubescence is moderately abundant. Fruit             Skin Taste. — Non-astringent. Tendency to crack. — None             observed in the previous years of evaluation in the Southern             San Joaquin Valley.         -   Fruit skin.—Blush Color — Generally speaking, a red blush             exists on a majority of the skin of the fruit (approximately             RHS Red Group 44 A), and is typically more present on the             portions of the fruit having direct sunlight exposure. The             blush covers approximately 80-90% of the fruit skin surface.             The percentage of the blush color on the fruit skin surface             can vary, and is generally dependent upon the fruit's direct             exposure to sunlight; specific fruit maturity; and the             prevailing ecological and cultural conditions under which             the fruit is being grown. Fruit Skin Ground Color. — Yellow,             (approximately RHS Yellow-Orange Group 16 D). The ground             color of the fruit skin can vary significantly relative to             the maturity date of the fruit when this measurement is             taken.         -   Fruit stem.—Length — approximately 6.0 mm. to about 8.0 mm.             Fruit Stem Diameter. — Approximately 2.0 mm. to about             3.0 mm. Fruit Stem Color. — Pale yellow-green,             (approximately RHS Yellow-Green Group N144 D).         -   Flesh.—Ripening. — Considered even. Flesh Texture. — Firm,             juicy and dense. Considered non-melting. Flesh Fibers. — A             few are found. Flesh Aroma. — Very slight. Flesh Eating             Quality. — Considered very good. Flesh Flavor. — Considered             sweet and with low acidity. The flavor is considered both             pleasant and balanced.         -   Juice production.—Moderate.         -   Brix.—About 14.0 degrees to 18.0 degrees. This             characteristic varies slightly with the number of fruit per             tree; maturity of fruit when harvested; prevailing cultural             practices; and the surrounding climatic conditions.         -   Flesh color.—White, (approximately RHS Yellow Group 2D). -   Stone:     -   -   Stone type.—Clingstone.         -   Stone size.—Considered medium-large for the variety. The             stone size varies significantly depending upon the tree             vigor, crop load and prevailing growing conditions.         -   Stone length.—Average, about 27.0 mm. to about 31.0 mm.         -   Stone width.—Average, about 22.0 mm. to about 25.0 mm.         -   Stone diameter.—Average, about 15.0 mm. to about 18.0 mm.         -   Stone form.—Ovoid.         -   Stone base.—The stone is usually rounded and considered             narrow or slightly elongated.         -   Stone apex.—Shape — The stone apex is slightly lobed and             generally has a prominent apical tip.         -   Stone surface texture.—Generally speaking the stone of the             present variety normally does not have sufficient time to             develop and mature as compared to the stones of medium or             later ripening peach varieties. Therefore, the stone is             lighter color, more porous and less dense than stones of             medium and late season varieties which have had more time to             develop, harden and lignify. Surface pitting is generally             more noted toward the dorsal edges of the stone. Larger and             more elongated pits are generally noted nearer the stones             apex, and smaller pits are generally found nearer the stone             base. Ridges. — Ridging is generally more prominent at             locations which are parallel and laterally disposed relative             to the ventral margin. Ventral Edge. — Shape — The ventral             edge is generally considered moderately smooth with even             labia bracketing the ventral suture. Dorsal Edge. — Shape —             Generally considered moderately rough and uneven. Folds of             surface ridges on the external margins often end abruptly             along the external margin of the dorsal surface creating an             irregular edge.         -   Stone color.—The color of the dry stone is generally             considered a pale yellow white, (approximately RHS             Greyed-Orange Group 164 A). This color is variable however,             and may be affected by oxidation and moisture content. In             view of this variability, this particular characteristic             cannot be considered distinctive of the variety.         -   Tendency to split.—Splitting has occasionally been noted.         -   Kernel.—Size — Medium-small. Kernel Form. — Considered             generally ovoid but as the immature embryo and its             cotyledons have not fully developed, the kernel form is             generally considered shriveled and underdeveloped especially             on the basal end. Pellicle. — Slightly pubescent. Kernel             Color. — (RHS Yellow-Orange Group 19 D).         -   Fruit use.—The subject variety which is named             ‘Burpeachtwentyfour’ is considered to be a peach tree of the             early season of maturity, and which produces fruit which are             considered to be firm, attractively colored, and which are             useful for both local and long distance shipping.         -   Keeping quality.—Appears excellent. The fruit of the present             variety has stored well for up to 30 days after harvest at             1.0 degree Celsius.         -   Shipping quality.—Good. The fruit produced by the new peach             tree variety showed minimal bruising of flesh or skin damage             after being subjected to normal harvesting and packing             procedures.         -   Resistance to insects and disease.—No particular             susceptibilities were noted. The present peach tree variety             has not been tested to expose or detect any susceptibilities             or resistances to any known plant and/or fruit diseases.

Although the new variety of peach tree possesses the described characteristics when grown under the ecological conditions prevailing near Fowler, Calif., in the Central part of the San Joaquin Valley of California, it should be understood that variations of the usual magnitude and characteristics incident to changes in growing conditions, fertilization, pruning, pest control, frost, climatic variables and horticultural management practices are to be expected. 

1. A new distinct variety of Peach tree, substantially as illustrated and described, and which is characterized principally as to novelty by producing an attractively colored white-fleshed, clingstone peach which is mature for harvesting and shipment approximately May 16 to May 23 under the ecological conditions prevailing in the San Joaquin Valley of central California. 